The Importance of Earnest Service

Service of an Expert Salesman....


When an improved product and expert salesman mesh, it’s a pleasure to spend money. For a service fanatic, it’s poetry to behold–like dancing with a star.

This happened to us the other week when Barry Lang from Audia Chevrolet in Millbrook, NY called to tell us our lease had expired on our Chevy Malibu. My husband Homer Byington, not a car enthusiast, was impressed by the negotiation.  He said, “I knew I had to do something about the lease, and Barry got to me before I reached out to Audia Chevrolet.  There was plenty of time to make a decision: buy the car we’d driven for three years or lease a new one.

“He could tell I was technologically illiterate and conducted his sales pitch in language I could understand,” said Homer.  "He also priced his offer competitively, not taking advantage of me.” Homer had checked with a family member in a related business who confirmed the lease price was fair. 

Meanwhile, while we liked the 2010 Malibu we turned in, it had its faults, every one of which was addressed in the 2013 auto. The designers reduced the size of the side view mirror that previously had been so big that at certain angles I had to practically stand up in my seat while making a left hand turn for fear of running over someone hidden behind the device. The windshield seems bigger and the rear headrests smaller increasing visibility. Chevy also removed a lump that housed a break light at eye level for the cars behind, which took away rear window visibility for the driver. And it added handles above each door as a standard feature and enlarged the glove compartment.

Back to Barry. He was patient with our questions, explaining how the car’s Bluetooth system worked and other features basic for most but unfamiliar to us. We took a week to decide whether to buy or lease again and a car in the color we liked–a blue/gray–was still there on our return. When we noted this Barry said he’d reserved it for us.

We’ve written previously about how friends and family members have been treated dismissively and disrespectfully by showroom staff selling highfalutin brands with hefty price tags. We don’t think Barry could make someone feel diminished; arrogance isn’t his style yet he could sell high end products with equal success.

If you drop in to Audia Chevrolet, my bet is that one of the Audia brothers will be there. One brother, Peter, chatted with us briefly last Saturday before we signed up and this Saturday Bob handed me my permanent NY State registration. During the week someone at Audia had paid for and picked it up at Motor Vehicles.

Can you share a boast about a similar sales experience for any product?

6 Responses to “Service of an Expert Salesman”

1. April 8th, 2013 Lucrezia Said:

I’m the wrong person to ask since I know what I want 99.99% of the time and have a practiced deaf ear towards spiels. As to the remaining fraction of a percent, the ear is listening because of personal like, not because of ablity to sell.

2. April 8th, 2013 Jeanne Byington Said:

That’s what was so amazing about Barry–no spiel. He didn’t try to sell us stuff we’d have no interest in–he listened to Homer and didn’t try to ride over him with blah blah.

3. April 8th, 2013 Lisa McGee Said:

Well, if I am ever in a position to turn in my hunk of junk for a new improved model – I certainly hope to have an experience like this – sounds refreshingly pleasant as does your new car!!

4. April 8th, 2013 Jeanne Byington Said:

Lisa,

Speaking with someone through the car’s Bluetooth system is the strangest thing! Oh, and while we were out earlier today, my husband said that Barry called and left a message. He wanted to know how we liked the car.

 

5. April 8th, 2013 JPM Said:

Like your husband, I’m technologically impaired, but I’m also automotively illiterate. I know that this is un-American, I don’t even know the names of most car brands. Naturally, car salesmen see me coming miles away.

The first car I ever bought, a used one at that – I remember it didn’t have a roof and was American – was so overpriced that when I moved to New York a year and a half later and had to sell it, I had to pay the car company $1,800 (and that was when $1,800 was a lot of money) to take it back.

The second, and last one I ever bought, was in Brooklyn almost thirty years ago. I didn’t care what the thing looked like, or how fast it would go, only that it would go. Also, I was working a sixty hour week then and couldn’t afford to take days off to get it serviced. The salesman swore that his dealership serviced the vehicles it sold, properly and at a fair price. All I had to do was leave it off at the dealer when I went to work and pick it up on my way home. Like a dope, I believed him, but the first time I showed up for service, having made an appointment, I was told to go away and that they “were busy serving customers.” And when I tried to find the salesman, he was nowhere to be found.

Fortunately, we had a friendly gas station in the neighborhood where we lived run by a man who owned and flew his own airplane. Those were the days when you made more money pumping gas than working in a bank. How times have changed.

Indeed they must have, if your Barry is typical of today’s salesmen. What a great experience! I’m almost tempted to buy a car myself, if it feels as good as all that.

6. April 8th, 2013 Jeanne Byington Said:

JPM,

I wish that Barry was typical of today’s salesmen. If he were, I wouldn’t have all the grumpy posts that I sprinkle in with the others. It’s a joy to write about someone who does his job well. In fact, I keep thinking of other things he did right but I had to stop–who would believe me?

 

Thoughts from JM Byington & Associates, Inc.

  

Audia Chevy - Hudson Valley

 Chevy Truck Month is finally back ......

It's a great time to get a deal on Chevy Trucks

 

See our selection of Great Savings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stop into Audia Chevrolet Today

 

The 2014 Impala

The Impala has been a legend for decades, but now we have our sights set on the future. The 2014 Impala is totally redesigned, aggressively refined, unlike anything you seen before, and coming to Audia Chevrolet this spring. What part are you most excited about? 

  The All New 2014 Impala Revealed!

2014 Corvette Stingray

IT'S COMING.........

Hudson Valley - Chevy's Giving More Event

This holiday season starts with something big from

 

 

 

We're giving more savings, more cash back and more great deals on the cars that offer more.

 

 

Like the Silverado which is the most dependable, longest lasting full size pickups on the road.

 

 

 

 

 

Or the Sonic with the most available horsepower and torque in its class.

 

 

 

Whichever vehicle you choose, you're getting more with Chevy. 

 

So stop into Audia Chevrolet, tour the new facility during Chevy's Year End Sales Event to get a great deal like 0% APR financing for 60 months for qualified buyers plus cash back on a brand new Silverado.   Plus for every sold Audia Chevrolet will donate $100  to the American Red Cross for those affected by Hurricane Sandy.

Hudson Valley- Poughkeepsie Region Avoiding Animal-Related Accidents

It doesn't matter what part of the world you live in, there are undoubtedly free-roaming animals in residence that have caused havoc with local traffic. In the U.S. alone, the National Safety Council reported over a half-million animal-related auto accidents in 2003-a trend that has increased with time. Whether you live in an area populated with deer, moose, cows, turkeys, or any animal substantial enough to do damage to your vehicle, there are steps you can take to avoid a costly collision with wildlife:

Animal-related auto accidents tend to occur before and directly after sunrise- be especially on the lookout when driving at this time of day. Drive carefully in posted animal crossing zones-these areas are known for large populations of a particular species such as deer, for example. If it is dark out, use your high beams when there is no oncoming traffic. Animal eyes shine in the dark, and you have a better chance of spotting them at a distance. If an animal is close by, honk your horn and flash your high beams to scare it off. You've heard the term 'deer in headlights', flashing your lights should break the trance and effect action. If an animal is on or near the road, stay in your lane and brake firmly without locking up your brakes. At a slower speed you will have more time to consider- and take-the proper course of action. This last tip is an obvious but important one: always wear your seatbelt. Hitting an animal at any rate of speed can cause injury-even death.

Although mostly common sense, these tips are important to keep at top-of-mind when driving. Often, we only consider other drivers as a source of danger on the road, but the reality is that animals are unpredictable and many times we don't even realize that they are there. Awareness and preparedness are the keys to safety.